MARATHON MAN PHIL PACKER HITS £1MILLION AMBITION
Sat 17th May 09, Windsor Castle: Major Phil Packer of the Royal Military Police, who was left paralysed in Basra last year, has tonight achieved his target of raising £1 million in support of charity Help For Heroes, at The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo, attended by Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.
Packer, who completed the final leg of his marathon last Saturday said: “It’s an emotional night for me tonight. Initially I raised £910,000 by the time I completed the run, but through the generosity of some personal donors who I’ve met tonight at The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo, they have pledged the final £90,000 in order to achieve my £1 million ambition.
“Leaving my men and women in Basra was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, so when I decided to do this, I vowed I would never give up. I cannot believe the generosity of everyone who has supported me and the injured service men and women this money will help. Next month I’m off to complete my next challenge – a mountain climb in the US, where I’m hoping to raise even more.”
To hear the full radio interview with Phil Packer, please click here
In only its second year, the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo, a not-for-profit event supporting the Royal British Legion, is shaping to be one of the highlights of the International Tattoo calendar. With support from all three services, the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo is there to serve and celebrate the extraordinary endeavours of our soldiers, sailors and airmen.
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About the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo:
The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo is supported by BAE Systems, Compass and Land Rover.
This not-for-profit event launched in May 2008 and was devised with the aim of raising public awareness of the wide contribution to security that the Armed Forces deliver and the value and standards that it maintains. It also raises funds to support individual soldiers, and their dependants, who have served and are serving on demanding current operations, such as in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Last year’s Tattoo attracted over 18,000 spectators and this year’s event will cater for nearly 30,000 visitors in total. The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo includes ceremonial displays and bands, but also demonstrates the reality of modern day soldiering through arena action displays. The Tattoo was broadcasted in 2008 by the BBC.
For further information please contact Kelly Smith on 07515 864250 or email kellys@hpower.co.uk
This news item was added on 16 May 2009
